[Dutch Health Council advice 'Vaccination against pneumococcal infections in elderly persons and immunocompromised adults']

Abstract

The Dutch Health Council recently reported on the scientific desirability of making pneumococcal vaccination available to elderly persons and immunocompromised adults. On the basis of an assessment of the scientific evidence undertaken by the Dutch Cochrane Centre, the Council has concluded that extension of the current indication for pneumococcal vaccination is not scientifically justified. Vaccination is definitely recommended only for patients suffering from asplenia, sickle-cell anaemia or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Whereas vaccination should be considered in individuals with certain other illnesses, vaccination is not recommended for people of advanced age or those diagnosed with solid tumours, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease or chronic heart failure.